Foolish people behind violence in Ghardaia, says minister

Algerian religious affairs minister Bouabdallah Ghoulamallah said people behind riots in the province in Ghardaia (south of Algeria) are the same who triggered violent events in Egypt, Tunisia and Syria. “They are foolish who have nothing to do with religion neither doctrine.”

“Clashes have recently taken place once again between Ibadite and Malikite partisans in Ghardaia due to foolish people who have nothing to do with Religion neither doctrine. They were also behind events in Arab countries like Tunisia, Egypt and Syria,” Ghoulamallah Wednesday at the People’s National Assembly.

“The ministry is aware of that. Media should play their role to raise awareness,” he added.

He also said the State makes efforts to restore calm in the province.

Speaking about imams, the minister said the ministry relied on university graduates but they do not learn the Quran by heart contrarily to those who take courses from training centers.

He added that the ministry employed 386 imams in 2012.

Asked by a deputy about building mosques, Ghoulamallah said a number of mosques have been opened in municipalities since the beginning of the year.